Background:
Students will view a Getty Museum video clip regarding the mummification process. Subsequent to the video, time will be allowed for questions and discussion. (The Mummification Process, 2009) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MQ5dL9cQX0

Previous instruction has included data collection and recording and transferring data to graphs for visual representation.

STANDARD
ACTIVITY
STRATEGY
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.3
Follow precisely a complex multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks, attending to special cases or exceptions defined in the text.


CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.7
Translate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text into visual form (e.g., a table or chart) and translate information expressed visually or mathematically (e.g., in an equation) into words.
Mummified Apple Lab
Inquiry / Observation / Collaboration (Hunter, 2009)
Journal (Butler, 2008)




(Apple)
(Apple)

Apple Mummy Lab: (Mummy Experiment)
Materials:
  • 2 apples, cut into quarters
  • Large box of table salt
  • Large box of Epsom salts
  • Large box of baking soda
  • Measuring cups
  • 8 12-oz plastic cups
  • Triple-beam balance
  • Tara sheet
  • Journal – for recording data

Procedure – READ, ask questions, READ again!, Then start!
o Label each cup, #1-8
o Prepare a data chart for each cup. The chart should include the cup number, beginning mass of the apple slice,
desiccant used, final mass, and percentage of mass lost.
o Determine mass of each apple slice, record and place in labeled cup

o Prepare desiccants according to cup label:
1) No desiccant
2) ¾ c baking soda
3) ¾ c Epsom salt
4) ¾ c table salt
5) 50:50 solution of Epsom salt and table salt (mix well)
6) 50:50 solution of table salt and baking soda (mix well)
7) 50:50 solution of Epsom salt and baking soda (mix well)
8) ¼ c Epsom salt mixed with ¼ c baking soda and ¼ c table salt (mix well)

o Pour the appropriate desiccant over the apple slice, making sure the apple is completely covered.
o Place the cups out of direct sunlight and let them sit for 6 days.
o One-by-one, carefully measure and record the current weight of the apple slices. Carefully brush off as much
desiccant as possible from the apple slices in the solutions prior to measuring.
o Calculate and record the amount of mass lost.

o Note qualitative observations for each slice.
external image journal.png

Answer the following questions in your Science Journal:
  1. Which salt would seem to work best at making an apple mummy? Use at least 1 visual graph to illustrate your findings.
  2. What was the point of leaving one of the apple slices in a cup without any salt at all?
  3. Where did the moisture in the slices go? How could you confirm this?